Kingfisher (Schooner), aground, 6 Nov 1880

      A telegram from Cleveland this morning says that the schr. KINGFISHER, ashore east of Port Maitland, is in very bad shape. The tugs PRINCE ALFRED and JESSIE are working on her, and probably more assistance will be required.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      November 11, 1880 3-3


      Messrs. Worthington & Sill received a telegram from Capt. Hammond this morning, dated Port Burwell, stating that the schr. KINGFISHER was ashore 12 miles below that place or 4 miles east of the sand-hills. She is well up on the beach with no water in her. The bottom is smooth, but Capt. Hammond could not ascertain whether it was sand or clay. If clay she will have to be launched. She is not out of shape or otherwise injured.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      November 13, 1880 3-5


      Capt. Ben Hammond who went to look after the schr. KINGFISHER telegraphed the following from Port Rowan last night: "It is snowing and blowing a gale from the south. Have discharged the large tugs. The vessel is 3 ft. out, on clay, sand and gravel made up around, and has 2 ft. of water outside. She will have to be raised up and launched after the ice makes. She cannot be got off this Fall as the sea runs continually, so we cannot work. Will have to strip her and store things here. She will not be injured where she is."
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      November 16, 1880 3-4


      The schooner KINGFISHER, which ran ashore ten miles below Port Burwell, lake Erie, last fall, is now being got off.
      Cleveland Herald
      April 7, 1881


The schooner KINGFISHER was abandoned to the underwriters Saturday afternoon. She is owned by Mr. R. W. Winslow and Captain Leon. Measures will be at once taken by Captain Guyles, representing the insurance companies, to get her off.
      Cleveland Herald
      Monday, May 2, 1881

      . . . . .

      The underwriters in Buffalo have contracted with L. McCullum of Canada for the release of the schr. KINGFISHER, which went ashore last fall above Port Burwell while bound for Chicago with a cargo of coal from this port. The contract price, $5,000, seems a pretty stiff one, but under existing Canadian wrecking laws it is "Jobson's Choice" with the owners. They can either pay the amount asked or leave her to rot where she lies.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      May 31, 1881 1-9

      . . . . .

      The schr. KINGFISHER, which went ashore 8 miles above Port Burwell on the morning of the 6th. of November last, and which was released Tuesday by the Canadian Wrecking Co., who received $5,000 for the job, arrived in port early yesterday forenoon in tow of the Canadian wrecking tug PRINCE ALFRED. Last fall several attempts were made by the owners, Mr. Winslow and others, of this city, but the sudden closing of navigation compelled them to leave her where she was during the winter. They abandoned her to the underwriters who contracted with the Canadian Wrecking Co. for her release; although had the Canadian wrecking laws not prevented there doing the work themselves she could have been released for about half the price paid. Considering all she has undergone, her hull is in excellent condition and can be easily repaired, but her sails are badly used up and her rigging considerably demoralized. She lies alongside Central Wharf, nearly abreast Provoost & Sons sail loft, and is being stripped of her rigging, etc. An offer of $12,000 was refused for her by the underwriters yesterday, as they expect to get $15,000, at least that is the figure they ask.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      June 17, 1881 4-7